Combined folding couch and cradle



(No Model.)

W. B. 85 G. K. TALIAFERRO. COMBINED FOLDING 001103 AND GRADLE.

No. 473,181. Patented Apr. 19, 1892.

UNITE STATES ATENT Fries.

\VILLIAM B. TALIA'FERRO AND CHARLES K. TALIAFERRO, OF MIDDLES- BOROUGH,KENTUCKY.

COMBINED FOLDING COUCH AND CRADLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,181, dated April19, 1892.

Application filed January 28, 1892. gerial No. 19,529. (No model.)

To 00% whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM B. TALIA- FERRO and CHARLES K. TALIAFERRO,both citizens of the United States, residing at Middlesborough, in thecounty of Bell and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in a Combined Folding Couch and Cradle; and we dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, reference being had to the annexed drawings, whichform part of this specification.

Our invention comprises a peculiarly-constructed couch which when foldedtogether occupies but very little more space than an ordinary grip-sackor valise, although it is capable of being readily opened, so as toafford a comfortable bed for a child. After being thus opened the couchcan be conveniently hung from the back of a car-seat or the side rail ofa bed, or it can be mounted upon a pair of detachable rockers, therebyrendering the device especially useful for traveling purposes, ashereinafter more fully described.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l is a perspective view showing ourcouch in its open position. Fig. 2 is an end elevation showing the opencouch suspended from the side rail of a bed. Fig. 3 is an end elevationshowing the couch mounted upon rockers. .Fig. 4 is an end elevationshowing the couch folded together. Fig. 5 is a modification of theinvention.

A A in Fig. 1 represent the end frames of the front section of thecouch, which frames are practically quarter-circles and have segmentalwings a a, that form part of the head and foot boards of the device.

B B represent the end frames of the rear section of the couch, whichframes are the same size andshape as the front frames and have segmentalend pieces or wings I b, the inner ends of these frames A B A B beingpivoted together by a rod 0, that serves as a hinge for the entiredevice. Furthermore, the frames B B have hooks D D formed at their upperends or attached thereto, in order that the couch may be readilysuspended from a convenient support. These various frames, together withtheir wings and hooks, may be made of wood or lightmetal; but in eithercase said frames must be united by a system of slats or rounds E andupholstered internally, as at F, to afford a comfortable couch or bedfor a child. The exterior covering F may be of any material.

G G are strap-handles applied at the midlength of the front and backsections.

H H are straps or light chains or other flexible connections secured,respectively, to the frames A Band A Band servingtolimit the opening ofthe two sections;

2' t" in Fig. 3 are sockets bored transversely of the frames A B toadmit pins I I, projecting from a detachable rocker J, one of suchrocker attachments being provided for each end of the couch.

In the modification of our invention seen in Fig. 5 a hole is madetransversely of the upper part of the rear frame 13 to receive ascrew-threaded hook K, having a thumb-nut k, which arrangement permitsthe couch being hung from supports of different sizes. When the deviceis to be used as a bed, the two sections are opened out, as seen inFigs. 1 and 2, thereby affording a comfortable couch for a child two orthree years old, the couch when in this condition being capable ofsecure suspension from a car-seat back or bed-rail, as represented at L,in Fig. 2; or the opened couch can be fitted on rockers in a fewmoments, as seen in Fig. 3; but when it is to be carried from place toplace the two sections can be folded together, as represented in Fig.4., in which compact form of the device it can be carried as readily asan ordinary grip-sack or valise by grasping the handles G G, ample roombeing afforded within the closed couch for the pair of rockers. It willthus be seen that this light and portable device is especially usefulfor families or women who are compelled to take small children on longjourneys, as a bed can be arranged in a few minutes either on a train orwhile waiting at stations and other stopping places.

WVhen the frames are made of metal, the ends a a b b of the same can beformed of scrolls or other ornaments to add to the finished appearanceof the couch.

We claim as our invention- 1. The combination, in a folding crib, of aconcave front section consisting of the curved frames A A having,respectively, segmental end pieces a a and united by longitudinal slatsE, a concave back section consisting of the curved frames B B, having,respectively, end pieces I) b and hooks D D and united by longitudinalslats E, a rod 0, serving as a common pivot that couples the jointedends of said frames A B A B, and flexible connections 11 H, that limitthe opening of said front section when the back section is suspendedfrom a suitable support, all as herein described.

2. The combination, in a folding crib and cradle, of a concave frontsection consisting of the curved frames A A, having, respectively,segmental end pieces a a and united by longitudinal slats E, a concaveback section consisting of the curved frames B B,

having, respectively, end pieces I) b and hooks D D and united bylongitudinal slats E, a rod 0, serving as acominon pivot that couplesthe jointed ends of said frames A B A B, and flexible connections H H,that limit the opening of said front section when the back section issuspended from a suitable support, said frames being provided withsockets z' 71 to admit pins I I, projecting from the concave uppersurface of a detachable rocker J, all as herein described, and for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony whereof we aitix our signatures in presence of twoWitnesses.

WVILLIAM B. TALIAFERRO. CHARLES K. TALIAFERRO.

\Vitnesses:

A. O. Honens, H. W. OBRYANT.

